The Responsible Research in Action unconference, scheduled for September 22–24, 2025 in Berlin, will bring together researchers, funders, publishers, institutional leaders, patient representatives, and other stakeholders to develop solutions for more responsible, inclusive, and effective research practices.
Organized by the QUEST Center for Responsible Research at the Berlin Institute of Health, the Einstein Foundation Award for Promoting Quality in Research, and the EXCELScIOR ERA Chair at the University of Coimbra, with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), the event aims to turn ideas into practical outcomes through collaborative, participant-driven engagement.
Unlike traditional conferences, the unconference model focuses on informal exchange and peer-led problem-solving, with working sessions complemented by shared meals and networking activities, including a dinner in the dinosaur hall of Berlin’s Natural History Museum.
en projectsT, selected through a global open call by an international program committee that includes representatives from PLOS, will guide the event’s work under three themes:
• Reproducibility – Projects include piloting a checklist of reproducibility checks, creating a reporting guideline for reproducibility studies, and developing roadmaps to encourage pre-registration and adoption of reporting guidelines in biomedical research.
• Research assessment reform – Initiatives will produce a guide to address common objections to reform and create use cases for applying a value-based evaluation framework to align incentives with research quality across disciplines.
• Improving research culture – Participants will use design-thinking methods to develop a roadmap for implementing Science Europe’s vision for strengthening research culture.
Each project brings together participants from across the research ecosystem, ensuring diverse perspectives are embedded in solutions from the outset. Attendees will also gain experience in design thinking and behavioral change strategies while building an international network committed to advancing transparency and trust in research.
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